Guiding Investigative Questions for Data Collection and Research

As you take tree height and other measurements as part of the campaign, we would like to offer several questions that you might like to answer. These Guiding Investigative Questions can help you with the "Why am I collecting this data and what does my data mean?

Where are trees growing and why are they there?

What can measuring tree height tell us about our local ecosystem?

What is the relationship between tree height and land cover?

What are the tools for measuring trees and the errors between them?

The Trees Around the GLOBE Campaign commenced on September 15, 2018 in conjunction with NASA's ICESat-2 satellite launch on the same date at 6:02am PDT. This campaign is a student research campaign focusing on tree height - one of the measurements conducted by the ICESat-2 mission. Tree height is not just a measurement - it is a gateway to understanding many things about the environment. The structure of tree canopies, the 3D arrangement of individual trees, has a huge effect on how ecosystems function and cycle through carbon, water, and nutrients.

The ICESat-2 Satellite. Photo courtesy of NASA

The NASA Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) launched on September 15, 2018 at 6:02am PDT from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA. The ICESat-2 satellite will use an on-board laser altimeter system to measure the height of Earth. Measurements of ice sheets, sea ice, trees, bodies of water, mountains are all part of what ICESat-2 will measure.

Scientists from the ICESat-2 Mission will periodically review the tree height data collected by the GLOBE community throughout this campaign. The data will allow scientists to use it as satellite data validation and in potential professional research.

Students and teachers participating in this campaign are encouraged to use GLOBE protocols to measure tree height. GLOBE has several ways to measure tree height. You can find them HERE, as part of the Biometry Protocol.

Stay tuned to this campaign web site to learn of upcoming webinars, live social media events, and blogs related to this campaign!

Related Measurement Programs

Learn about the different science platforms that are taking measurements related to tree height (tree canopy, tree distribution, forest structure) and use this information in the development of your student research projects:

Dust off those clinometers and start measuring Trees Around the GLOBE!

If you are not already a member of the GLOBE Community, please click the JOIN GLOBE link and follow the registration instructions. Once you register, you will be able to start taking GLOBE protocol measurements.

If you have any questions about the Trees Around the GLOBE Student Research Campaign, please feel free to contact Campaign Lead, Brian Campbell.

The GLOBE Program: Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment